# Quinoa (*Chenopodium quinoa subsp. quinoa*)

Quinoa is a nutritious plant that people can eat. Its seeds are small and come in different colors like red, white, and black. Quinoa grows well in high altitudes and is good for you!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mountain regions
- **Also known as:** Andean Grain, Inca Wheat

![Quinoa](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Quinua.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Maurice Chédel, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quinua.JPG)

## Appearance

The Quinoa plant has a sturdy stem that can range from green to vibrant red or purple, topped with large, often colorful, branching seed heads. Its broad leaves are goosefoot-shaped, varying in shades of green, yellow, or deep red as they mature, giving fields a striking appearance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Family:** Chenopodiaceae
- **Genus:** Chenopodium

## Interesting facts

- Besides seeds, you can also eat quinoa's young leaves just like spinach!
- Its seeds come in many colors: white, red, black, purple, and even orange!
- NASA eyed quinoa as a superfood for astronauts on their long space journeys!
- Quinoa is not a true grain, but a "pseudocereal" related to spinach and beets!

## Special abilities

- **Bitter Shield:** Quinoa seeds are covered in a bitter compound called saponin that helps it defend against hungry birds and insects.
- **Hardy Pioneer:** Quinoa can thrive in tough environments like high altitudes, poor soil, and even drought, thanks to its robust root system.
- **Salt Sponge:** Quinoa can absorb salt from the soil and store it in special leaf cells, helping it survive in salty conditions.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 100-300 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Annual
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — eats its protein-rich seeds
- **Eaten by:** Fall Armyworm (*Spodoptera frugiperda*) — larvae chew on leaves and stalks
- **Depends on:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — for cultivation and harvesting

## Traits

- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Grain Crop](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grain-crop): This human use trait denotes species cultivated as grain crops, harvested for their edible dry seeds (grains), which are a staple food source.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Quinoa plants are safe to touch and eat when prepared properly.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Quinoa?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Quinoa?

100-300 cm

### How wide does Quinoa spread?

30-60 cm

### When does Quinoa bloom?

Summer

### Is Quinoa edible?

Yes

### Is Quinoa toxic?

None

### What is Quinoa's lifecycle?

Annual

### How is Quinoa pollinated?

Wind

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Quinoa: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quinoa)